Improvement in lasts



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEC IV. O. SHIPHERD, OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,114, dated December 9, 1862.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WV. O. SHIPHERD, of Saratoga Springs, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Boot` and Shoe Lasts; and I do hereby declare that the following' is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, making a part of this speciiication, in which/- Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of a last with my invention applied to it; Figs. 2 and 3, detached views of the principal parts which comprise my invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in the two figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved mode of attachitig the removable block of the last to the latter in such a manner that it may be detached from the last by the hook which is usually employed for drawing the last from the boot or shoe, thereby avoiding the trouble and delay hitherto attending the loosening or detachin g ot' the block from the last previous to the withdrawing of the latter from the boot or shoe.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a last, which may be constructed in the ordinary way, and B is the removable block, which is fitted in the recess in the upper or top part ofthe last, as usual. In the front end ot' the block B there is inserted a pin, O, which, when the block B is in its place, ts in a holein the shoulder a in the front part of the last. A pin, I), is also inserted in the back part of the block B, and this pin, when the block is in place, tits in an oblong hole, b, in the upper and back part of the last, as shown clearly in Fig. l. These dowel-pins prevent the block from slipping laterally out of proper position.

1n the under part of the block B there is inserted a spring-catch, E. This catch is composed of a metal bar, c, having a notch, d, made in its Linder side near the front end. rlhe bar c has a iiat spring, e, secured to its upper surface, and this spring bears against the upper edge of the recess f, in which the bar cis iitted. The bar is attached by a pivot, y, to a bent or right-angular plate, F, which is secured by a screw to the under surface of the block B adjoining the recess f. The bar c is allowed to work 4freely on its pivot g, and the spring e has a tendency to press the front notched end ofthe bar c downward,as will be fully understood by referring to Fig. l.

In the upper surface ot' the last A there is made a circular opening or recess, h, in which a circular or annular metal plate, t', is fitted, and F is a metal plate of polygonal form, which is placed on the plate t' and is secured thereon by a screw, j, which passes eccentrically through F into the last A. The eccentric position of the hole k in the plate F, through which the screwj passes, is shown in Fig. 3.

From the above description it will be seen that when the block B is fitted on the last A the notched end ot' the bar c will catch under one of the edges or sides of the plate F and serve to hold the block down upon the last, and in case of the wearing of the catch or shrinking of the last or its block, which would have a tendency to render the fastening loose, the plate F may be turned so as to bring a more prominent edge or side forward, and thereby render the fastening tight vand firm.

In order to secure the block to the last all that is required is simply to fit it in its place on the last. The spring e will force the notch d ofthe bar c under the edge of plate F', and in order to withdraw the last from the boot or shoe a hook orbent rod is passed through the hole m., and the upper end of the bar c is thereby pressed down and the front notched end consequently raised free from the plate F', the block B being thereby detached from the last, and the latter may be withdrawn from the boot or shoe simultaneously with the loosening of the block from the last.

This invention may be applied at a small expense, and it entirely obviates the use of nails or tacks hitherto employed for fastening the block to the last and which greatly mar the block. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The spring-catch E, in combination with the polygonal plate E', said parts being constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

.W. O. SHIPHERD.

Witnesses:

J. W. CRANE, G. E. MCOMBER. 

